What Makes Up Handmade?
November 20, 2009
As I finished up a batch of my Holly Jolly earrings this morning, I thought “geez, if people really knew what goes into these things…” and had a brainflash. What if I took a photo of all the materials and tools used to make them? I started gathering…..
Wow…for a cute and seemingly simple little pair of earrings, it’s amazing what it takes to make them! After I took the photo, I realized that I forgot a couple of things – a round nosed pliers, a punch pliers, 22g wire, and I didn’t include my tumbler.
Starting with the copper sheet (top right corner) I punch out the discs, then stamp them using letter stamps (middle). After stamping, holes are punched for the ear wire and dangle, then I carefully file the edges to remove any messy little bits. A Sharpie marker is used on the stamping to accent it, then I use one of the little white polishing squares to clean off the excess Sharpie.
The discs are then domed, using the dapping tools (top center). I make all of my own head pins and ear wires, so at some point, I use my butane torch and 22g wire to make the headpins that hang the crystals. After the dangles are complete, I use 20g wire to make the ear wires, hammering them just lightly.
Last step is to toss the earrings into the tumbler for a last polish and remove any excess burrs.
Here is the finished product (this is a prototype…I don’t put 3 dangles on the bottom any more, Holly gets a red crystal, and Jolly gets a single green one.
I’d love to hear what goes into YOUR handmade products…and the next time someone stops to look at your work, or asks about it, be sure to tell them about all the details that go into making handmade!
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